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Colabello thankful for opportunity to help Twins

Colabello thankful for opportunity to help Twins

5/25/13: Chris Colabello ropes a single to center off Doug Fister in the top of the sixth for the first Major League hit of his career

By Rhett Bollinger and Kelly Erickson
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MLB.com |

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Twins did not go into the All-Star break quietly.

Three struggling hitters -- Chris Parmelee, Eduardo Escobar and Oswaldo Arcia -- were sent to Triple-A, and two players were initially called up -- Chris Herrmann and Doug Bernier. The third player was not announced immediately, but most suspected that Chris Colabello would fill the spot.

It was a call he wasn't expecting, but sure enough, after a quick trip to Reno, Nev., for an appearance in the Triple-A All-Star game and the Triple-A Home Run Derby, Colabello began his third stint of the season with the Twins.

"I try not to think too much about what other people are making decisions about," Colabello said. "I just kind of go about my business every day the best I can. When you hear something, you hear something. If you don't, you don't."

Colabello was informed that the Twins were going to recall him prior to the official release. After the All-Star game and the Home Run Derby -- in which he admittedly hit poorly -- Colabello made his way straight to Minnesota from Reno.

Colabello served as the designated hitter and batted sixth in the Twins' first two games of the second half.

"We just want to see him get some swings," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "The kid has done everything he can do at Triple-A. We've got a couple of kids scuffling up here. We're trying to get them straightened out, and he's earned a shot here to get some swings."

In 85 games with the Rochester Red Wings, Colabello had a .354/.432/.652 slash line with 76 RBIs. In the Majors, he is 2-for-20 in eight games.

In Friday's 3-2 win over the Indians, he went 0-for-4 with a strikeout, but he's trying to remain positive and simply make the most of his time in the big leagues.

"I'm just going to try and have as much fun as possible every day," Colabello said. "Play the game, help the team win some games. Every step I take from this moment on will be a great one in my mind, whatever happens. I'm thankful to this organization for giving me the opportunity they did. Whatever comes for me, comes for me. I'm looking forward to the opportunity to play. That's why I played the game my whole life."

But as Colabello starts to settle into his game, the biggest difference to him isn't the new level or increased competition, rather it's the 35,000 fans watching and the big scoreboards and screens that display highlights and replays throughout the game.

"Obviously, the guys on the mound are going to have a little bit better stuff, but at the end of the day, they still have to throw strikes," Colabello said. "You're competing with a baseball. You're not necessarily competing with the guy that's throwing."

Rhett Bollinger is a reporter for MLB.com. Read his blog, Bollinger Beat, and follow him on Twitter @RhettBollinger. Kelly Erickson is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.